A tragic loss has reignited concerns over disaster preparedness in Malibu after Rory Callum Sykes, an inspirational speaker and advocate, perished in the recent wildfires.

Rory, a British-born Australian child actor, humanitarian, and inspirational speaker, tragically lost his life during the devastating Malibu wildfires on January 8, 2025. His mother, Shelley Sykes, shared the heartbreaking news on social media, recounting Rory’s inspiring journey and their unimaginable loss.

Shelley took to X (formerly Twitter) on January 9 to share her grief. “It is with great sadness that I have to announce the death of my beautiful son @Rorysykes to the Malibu fires yesterday. I’m totally heart broken… He will be incredibly missed by @shelleysykes, mama his pet peacocks Edgee & Mickie & all his online fans around the world [sic]!” penned the devastated mother.

Rory, born on July 29, 1992, was blind at birth and lived with cerebral palsy. Despite his health challenges, he was a beacon of positivity and resilience.

He became an inspirational speaker for renowned life coach Tony Robbins at the young age of eight. The Malibu estate where Rory lived with his mother, located on Mount Malibu, was completely destroyed in the fire.

Rory resided in a self-contained cottage outfitted with state-of-the-art Apple gadgets, reflecting his passion for technology and admiration for the company’s CEO, Tim Cook. Tragically, when the fire engulfed their property, Shelley was unable to save her son.

In an emotional interview with 10 News First, Shelley recounted her desperate attempt to protect Rory. She recalled that when she saw ash falling on the roof of Rory’s cottage, she grabbed a hose to douse the building.

However, she soon discovered the local water district had cut off the water supply. “Even the 50 brave firefighters had no water all day,” she lamented on social media. Shelley’s ordeal didn’t end there. In an interview with ABC News Australia, Shelley provided more insight into her son’s final moments.

Rory had locked himself inside the cottage when the fire approached. “Rory locked the door. He wasn’t coming out because he’d got swollen feet and he needed the bathroom… and he said, ‘Mum, just leave me, you go sort yourself out. I’m good,'” Shelley recalled, her voice filled with sorrow.

“They said, ‘We’ve got no water.’ And I said, ‘Oh my God, my son is locked in his room,'” she explained. When firefighters finally reached the property, it was too late — Rory’s cottage had been reduced to ash.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has vowed to conduct a thorough investigation. “When the fires are out, we will do a deep dive. We will look at what worked. We will look at what didn’t work. And we will let you know,” she stated.

Edith De Guzman, a water expert from the University of California, noted that areas like Malibu face unique challenges in maintaining water supply due to their elevation. Transporting water uphill requires significant energy and resources, which can be difficult to sustain during emergencies.

Shelley described the devastating scene upon returning to the property. “My heart’s pounding at 6 million miles an hour, but the shock when I got there… Everything, all three cottages that are fireproofed and built to code and everything, within an hour, had burnt to the ground,” she expressed.

“There was nothing. It was black ash. There were no walls, there were no tiles from his shower. There was nothing standing. It was just blackened.”

Authorities have yet to formally confirm Rory’s death. His remains are presumed to be in the rubble, but cadaver dogs have yet to locate them. Because of this, Rory’s name is not yet included in the official death toll from the Los Angeles fires. “He died with carbon monoxide poisoning rather than burning. I didn’t want any pain for my baby,” said his mom through tears.

Rory’s compassion and spirit made him a sought-after speaker and an inspiration to many. Alongside his mother, he co-founded Happy Charity, an organization dedicated to promoting positivity and support for those in need.

His fundraising efforts, especially his appearances on Australian television, showcased his passion for helping others despite his physical limitations. “That’s what Rory was about as well. Always seeing the bright side of life, and that’s how I would like him to be remembered,” Shelley sharedtearfully with 9News, reflecting on her son’s enduring positivity.

He also became a prominent voice in the motivational speaking circuit and was known for his love of technology and online gaming, especially RuneScape.

Support from the local and online community has been pouring in, with many expressing condolences and offering to help Shelley rebuild.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in Australia confirmed that they are aware of Rory’s death and have been helping the Sykes family.

“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to his family. Our thoughts are with them,” a DFAT spokesperson said in a statement to 9News. However, they declined to comment further, citing privacy obligations.

Rory’s death has sparked outrage over the water crisis that exacerbated the destruction. Shelley has publicly accused the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District (LVMWD) of cutting off water supply to her Malibu property during the blaze, leaving her helpless in her attempt to save her son.

However, a spokesperson for the water district has denied these claims. In a statement to NBC News, the spokesperson asserted, “Water service did remain available and uninterrupted to her property and the entire surrounding community. Our water system remained operational and we did provide water to the firefighters throughout the emergency and without interruption.”

According to the latest updates, the wildfires in Los Angeles County have claimed 24 livesand destroyed thousands of homes. Authorities have confirmed that at least 16 people remain missing, a number that is expected to rise.

Firefighters continue to battle the blazes as dangerous weather conditions persist, with forecasts warning of the return of strong winds that could further spread the flames.

In addition to his charitable endeavors, Rory will be remembered for his love of life and adventurous spirit. His IMDB bio captured his essence, “Rory Sykes is just a guy with cerebral palsy, who plays too much RuneScape and likes to build things on the web. Co-founded Happy Charity to help others.”

As the community rallies around Shelley, her strength and resolve serve as a powerful testament to a mother’s enduring love.

Rory’s legacy as a humanitarian, motivational speaker and tech enthusiast will continue to inspire those who knew him — and those who are only now learning his story./By Ayesha Muhammad

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